Alleged killer of girl identified as family plans funeral for Saturday

De'Maree Adkins' photo is emblazoned on shirts during a balloon release in memory of the 8-year-old, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in Houston. De'Maree was killed in a shooting at the intersection of W. Fuqua and Beltway 8 early last Saturday morning. less

De'Maree Adkins' photo is emblazoned on shirts during a balloon release in memory of the 8-year-old, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in Houston. De'Maree was killed in a shooting at the intersection of W. Fuqua and ... more

Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle

Image 2 of 26

De'Maree Adkins, 8 years old, was shot to death after car crash. Adkins and her mom, Latoyia Thomas were driving near the intersection of the Sam Houston Parkway feeder and Fuqua Street, when a speeding car hit their vehicle. The driver from the other vehicle jumped into another car and then started to shooting at Thomas' vehicle. less

De'Maree Adkins, 8 years old, was shot to death after car crash. Adkins and her mom, Latoyia Thomas were driving near the intersection of the Sam Houston Parkway feeder and Fuqua Street, when a speeding car hit ... more

Photo: handout

Image 3 of 26

De'Maree Adkins' father, Detram Adkins, and mother, Latoyia Thomas, address the crowd assembled for a balloon release in memory of their 8-year-old daughter, who loved to write and was called a "girly-girl."﻿

De'Maree Adkins' father, Detram Adkins, and mother, Latoyia Thomas, address the crowd assembled for a balloon release in memory of their 8-year-old daughter, who loved to write and was called a "girly-girl."﻿

Photo: Mark Mulligan, Staff

Image 4 of 26

Children wear shirts with De'Maree Adkins' photo during a balloon release that featured the 8-year-old's favorite colors - purple and pink.﻿

Children wear shirts with De'Maree Adkins' photo during a balloon release that featured the 8-year-old's favorite colors - purple and pink.﻿

Photo: Mark Mulligan, Staff

Image 5 of 26

A memorial to De'Maree Adkins grows along Beltway 8 at W. Fuqua, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in Houston. De'Maree was killed in a shooting at the intersection early last Saturday morning.

A memorial to De'Maree Adkins grows along Beltway 8 at W. Fuqua, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in Houston. De'Maree was killed in a shooting at the intersection early last Saturday morning.

Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle

Image 6 of 26

Family and community members gather for a balloon release in memory of 8-year-old De'Maree Adkins Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in Houston. De'Maree was killed in a shooting at the intersection of W. Fuqua and Beltway 8 early last Saturday morning. less

Family and community members gather for a balloon release in memory of 8-year-old De'Maree Adkins Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in Houston. De'Maree was killed in a shooting at the intersection of W. Fuqua and ... more

Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle

Image 7 of 26

Family and community members gather for a balloon release in memory of 8-year-old De'Maree Adkins Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in Houston. De'Maree was killed in a shooting at the intersection of W. Fuqua and Beltway 8 early last Saturday morning. less

Family and community members gather for a balloon release in memory of 8-year-old De'Maree Adkins Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in Houston. De'Maree was killed in a shooting at the intersection of W. Fuqua and ... more

Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle

Image 8 of 26

Balloons float into the sky during a balloon release in memory of 8-year-old De'Maree Adkins Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in Houston. De'Maree was killed in an apparent drive-by shooting at the intersection of W. Fuqua and Beltway 8 early last Saturday morning. less

Balloons float into the sky during a balloon release in memory of 8-year-old De'Maree Adkins Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in Houston. De'Maree was killed in an apparent drive-by shooting at the intersection of W. ... more

Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle

Image 9 of 26

De'Maree Adkins' father, Detram Adkins, and mother, Latoyia Thomas, address the crowd assembled for a balloon release in memory of their 8-year-old daughter, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in Houston. De'Maree was killed in an apparent drive-by shooting at the intersection of W. Fuqua and Beltway 8 early last Saturday morning. less

De'Maree Adkins' father, Detram Adkins, and mother, Latoyia Thomas, address the crowd assembled for a balloon release in memory of their 8-year-old daughter, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in Houston. De'Maree was ... more

Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle

Image 10 of 26

Latoyia Thomas (center), mother of De'Maree Adkins, waits to release balloons to honor the memory of her 8-year-old daughter, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in Houston. De'Maree was killed in an apparent drive-by shooting at the intersection of W. Fuqua and Beltway 8 early last Saturday morning. less

Latoyia Thomas (center), mother of De'Maree Adkins, waits to release balloons to honor the memory of her 8-year-old daughter, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in Houston. De'Maree was killed in an apparent drive-by ... more

Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle

Image 11 of 26

Children wear shirts with De'Maree Adkins' photo during a balloon release in memory of the 8-year-old, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in Houston. De'Maree was killed in a shooting at the intersection of W. Fuqua and Beltway 8 early last Saturday morning. less

Children wear shirts with De'Maree Adkins' photo during a balloon release in memory of the 8-year-old, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in Houston. De'Maree was killed in a shooting at the intersection of W. Fuqua and ... more

Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle

Image 12 of 26

Family and community members wait to release balloons during a ceremony honoring 8-year-old De'Maree Adkins Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in Houston. De'Maree was killed in a shooting at the intersection of W. Fuqua and Beltway 8 early last Saturday morning. less

Family and community members wait to release balloons during a ceremony honoring 8-year-old De'Maree Adkins Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in Houston. De'Maree was killed in a shooting at the intersection of W. ... more

Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle

Image 13 of 26

De'Maree Adkins' photo is emblazoned on shirts during a balloon release in memory of the 8-year-old, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in Houston. De'Maree was killed in a shooting at the intersection of W. Fuqua and Beltway 8 early last Saturday morning. less

De'Maree Adkins' photo is emblazoned on shirts during a balloon release in memory of the 8-year-old, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in Houston. De'Maree was killed in a shooting at the intersection of W. Fuqua and ... more

Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle

Image 14 of 26

A balloon reads "Our Sweet Angel De'Maree" before a balloon release in memory of 8-year-old De'Maree Adkins Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in Houston. De'Maree was killed in an apparent drive-by shooting at the intersection of W. Fuqua and Beltway 8 early last Saturday morning. less

A balloon reads "Our Sweet Angel De'Maree" before a balloon release in memory of 8-year-old De'Maree Adkins Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in Houston. De'Maree was killed in an apparent drive-by shooting at the ... more

Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle

Image 15 of 26

Houston police chief Art Acevedo comforts Victoria Jarmon, who is a cousin of De'Maree Adkins, after a balloon release in memory of 8-year-old De'Maree, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in Houston. De'Maree was killed in an apparent drive-by shooting at the intersection of W. Fuqua and Beltway 8 early last Saturday morning. less

Houston police chief Art Acevedo comforts Victoria Jarmon, who is a cousin of De'Maree Adkins, after a balloon release in memory of 8-year-old De'Maree, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in Houston. De'Maree was killed ... more

Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle

Image 16 of 26

Wuanita Hightower, whose daughter was a friend of De'Maree Adkins, looks up to the sky before a balloon release in memory of 8-year-old De'Maree Adkins Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in Houston. De'Maree was killed in an apparent drive-by shooting at the intersection of W. Fuqua and Beltway 8 early last Saturday morning. "She was a very beautiful little girl," said Hightower. less

Wuanita Hightower, whose daughter was a friend of De'Maree Adkins, looks up to the sky before a balloon release in memory of 8-year-old De'Maree Adkins Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in Houston. De'Maree was killed ... more

Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle

Image 17 of 26

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Police Chief Art Acevedo announce an arrest in the shooting death of 8-year-old, DeMaree Atkins, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at City Hall. Atkins was shot to death after her mother, Latoyia Thomas was involved in a car accident with another vehicle, Saturday. less

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Police Chief Art Acevedo announce an arrest in the shooting death of 8-year-old, DeMaree Atkins, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at City Hall. Atkins was shot to death after her ... more

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

Image 18 of 26

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Police Chief Art Acevedo announce an arrest in the shooting death of 8-year-old, DeMaree Atkins, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at City Hall. Atkins was shot to death after her mother, Latoyia Thomas was involved in a car accident with another vehicle, Saturday. less

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Police Chief Art Acevedo announce an arrest in the shooting death of 8-year-old, DeMaree Atkins, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at City Hall. Atkins was shot to death after her ... more

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

Image 19 of 26

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Police Chief Art Acevedo announce an arrest in the shooting death of 8-year-old, DeMaree Atkins, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at City Hall. Atkins was shot to death after her mother, Latoyia Thomas was involved in a car accident with another vehicle, Saturday. less

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Police Chief Art Acevedo announce an arrest in the shooting death of 8-year-old, DeMaree Atkins, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at City Hall. Atkins was shot to death after her ... more

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

Image 20 of 26

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Police Chief Art Acevedo announce an arrest in the shooting death of 8-year-old, DeMaree Atkins, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at City Hall. Atkins was shot to death after her mother, Latoyia Thomas was involved in a car accident with another vehicle, Saturday. less

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Police Chief Art Acevedo announce an arrest in the shooting death of 8-year-old, DeMaree Atkins, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at City Hall. Atkins was shot to death after her ... more

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

Image 21 of 26

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Police Chief Art Acevedo announce an arrest in the shooting death of 8-year-old, DeMaree Atkins, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at City Hall. Atkins was shot to death after her mother, Latoyia Thomas was involved in a car accident with another vehicle, Saturday. less

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Police Chief Art Acevedo announce an arrest in the shooting death of 8-year-old, DeMaree Atkins, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at City Hall. Atkins was shot to death after her ... more

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

Image 22 of 26

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Police Chief Art Acevedo announce an arrest in the shooting death of 8-year-old, DeMaree Atkins, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at City Hall. Atkins was shot to death after her mother, Latoyia Thomas was involved in a car accident with another vehicle, Saturday. less

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Police Chief Art Acevedo announce an arrest in the shooting death of 8-year-old, DeMaree Atkins, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at City Hall. Atkins was shot to death after her ... more

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

Image 23 of 26

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Police Chief Art Acevedo announce an arrest in the shooting death of 8-year-old, DeMaree Atkins, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at City Hall. Atkins was shot to death after her mother, Latoyia Thomas was involved in a car accident with another vehicle, Saturday. less

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Police Chief Art Acevedo announce an arrest in the shooting death of 8-year-old, DeMaree Atkins, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at City Hall. Atkins was shot to death after her ... more

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

Image 24 of 26

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Police Chief Art Acevedo announce an arrest in the shooting death of 8-year-old, DeMaree Atkins, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at City Hall. Atkins was shot to death after her mother, Latoyia Thomas was involved in a car accident with another vehicle, Saturday. less

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Police Chief Art Acevedo announce an arrest in the shooting death of 8-year-old, DeMaree Atkins, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at City Hall. Atkins was shot to death after her ... more

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

Image 25 of 26

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Police Chief Art Acevedo announce an arrest in the shooting death of 8-year-old, DeMaree Atkins, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at City Hall. Atkins was shot to death after her mother, Latoyia Thomas was involved in a car accident with another vehicle, Saturday. less

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Police Chief Art Acevedo announce an arrest in the shooting death of 8-year-old, DeMaree Atkins, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at City Hall. Atkins was shot to death after her ... more

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

Image 26 of 26

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Police Chief Art Acevedo announce an arrest in the shooting death of 8-year-old, DeMaree Atkins, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at City Hall. Atkins was shot to death after her mother, Latoyia Thomas was involved in a car accident with another vehicle, Saturday. less

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Police Chief Art Acevedo announce an arrest in the shooting death of 8-year-old, DeMaree Atkins, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at City Hall. Atkins was shot to death after her ... more

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

Alleged killer of girl identified as family plans funeral for Saturday

1 / 26

Back to Gallery

When police arrested 19-year-old Jacobe Dante Payton this week, a longtime family friend thought it was for unpaid traffic tickets.

Until recently, the Houston resident had been a student at Willowridge High School, in the southwest portion of the city. After class, he watched his 8-month-old son and 2-year-old daughter while their mother, his high school sweetheart, worked.

Related

As De'Maree's family plans the third-grader's funeral, Payton's friend and lawyer are questioning how the father and student they knew could have shot a child.

"I can't imagine how he could get mixed up in something like this," said Tiffany Hill, a lawyer the court appointed to represent Payton for two unrelated charges. "He seemed like one of those students that stays on top of himself."

Payton had been out of the house that Saturday with friends, Barnes said.

Early Saturday morning, De'Maree's mother, Latoyia Thomas, crashed into a Pontiac at the intersection of Beltway 8 and West Fuqua, while driving herself and De'Maree home from a hair appointment. After the collision, a person opened fire at Thomas' Honda and hit De'Maree, according to police reports. A four-door sedan fled the scene. Thomas, who was uninjured, held De'Maree in her arms and begged her daughter to stay alive.

Paramedics transported De'Maree to a hospital, where she died of her injuries.

Translator

To read this article in one of Houston's most-spoken languages, click on the button below.

In September, he was arrested in Harris County and accused of stealing 15 flash drives, three hard drives, a laptop, a computer bag and cash, valued between $2,500 and $50,000. He was released on bond and then arrested again in January for failing to appear in court. He appears to have been released on bond again in early February, according to court records.

He also has two assault cases pending in Fort Bend County, both of which Hill said happened at school. One alleges he got in a fight in January 2015 and struck another student. The second, filed about a year later, alleges he slapped his girlfriend.

Both were misunderstandings, Hill said. Payton pled not guilty to both in his arraignment. He was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday for both charges.

By then, he had already been taken into police custody for De'Maree's murder.

Because the shooting happened in the portion of Houston that is in Fort Bend, not Harris, County, Payton is being held in the Fort Bend County jail with a $500,000 bail. He was charged in the 240th State District Court in Fort Bend County.

De'Maree's family announced her funeral will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church at 3015 N. MacGregor Way, Houston.